Glamis Castle
Glamis (pronounced “glahmz,”) is the seat of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and the Chief of Clan Lyon. The current Earl is the great-great-nephew of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, The Queen Mother of Queen Elizabeth II. Glamis was the childhood home of The Queen Mother, and is the home of the Lyon family (later styled as Bowes-Lyon), for six and a half centuries.
In 1372, King Robert II of Scots (the first Stewart king) granted Glamis to Sir John Lyon. He would marry the King’s daughter by Queen Margaret, Princess Johanna, four years later.
Glamis was rebuilt beginning in the 15th century.
I went on a guided tour inside the older East Wing of the castle where interior photography is not allowed. Much of the grounds close to the castle are also restricted. It is, after all, still a family home.
Leslie Castle
My maternal grandmother’s name was Lamb, a derivative of Clan Lamont. My maternal grandfather’s name was Moore, a sub-clan (or “Sept”) of Clan Leslie. These 2 clans are the closest ancestors of mine, but there are also Walkers earlier in my family tree.
[More history to come]
Here are photos of the exterior and interior. There was an interesting coincidence in my bedroom. I used to work in the library in an art museum that is home to one of the three parts of the Monet Water Lily triptych. My room has a poster of the whole Monet triptych on the wall, with all 3 parts together.
Also pictured are the Lounge, the Baronial Hall and the original kitchen, which serves as the modern Breakfast Room. Finally there are pics of my 3 course dinner, served in the Baronial Hall, (1) Bread, Caprese, Beets, Feta and Olives in oil, Prawn, Garlic Mushrooms, (2) Beef Bourguignon Pie, (3) Fruit & Cheese plate.
